06/08/2026
THE JOURNEY TOWARDS A BETTER EAMC OPD
The EAMC Out-Patient Department , in collaboration with the EAMC Department of Family and Community Medicine, under the chairmanship of Dr. Sergio Tanhueco, Jr., successfully conducted the first-ever OPD Summit and Back to Basics Seminar 2026 last August 5, 2026 (Wednesday). This event was made possible with the full support of the hospital administration and the participation of department chairpersons, consultants, resident physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and administrative personnel, as well as the partnership of sponsors with the organizing committee, headed by Dr. Emmanuel Villareal (OPD Chief Resident).
Guided by the theme, "Advancing Service Excellence, Innovation, and Compassionate Care," the summit served as a platform for learning, collaboration, and strategic planning.
One of the highlights of the event was the insightful lecture of Dr. Javier Regner Saniano, Chairman of the Outpatient Department of Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center, who shared their institution's best practices in decongesting the OPD through process improvement, patient flow optimization, and an appointment system. His experience demonstrated how innovation and strong leadership can transform outpatient services while improving both patient experience and continuity of care.
Participants also explored strategies to maximize primary care through YAKAP, strengthen referral pathways through the Traditional and Alternative Healthcare Clinic (TAHC), communicate with compassion using the SPIKES Protocol, and deliver customer service with professionalism and empathy.
The voices of our participants identified five priorities for the future: improving patient flow, strengthening triage and appointment systems, enhancing facilities, supporting our healthcare workforce, and embracing technology and organizational change. These insights will guide the next chapter of OPD transformation, including the expansion of TAHC services, wider YAKAP enrollment, and the development of an appointment system tailored to the needs of East Avenue Medical Center.
The summit may be over, but the journey continues.
The path to excellence starts at the base. Together, let us continue the climb toward an OPD that delivers better care, every patient, every encounter, every day.
